Oxford, Ohio - Sophomore guard Victoria McGowan (Inkster, Mich.) led all scorers with 19 points, but a 6-23 team shooting performance in the first half coupled with seven first half three-pointers by the home team led to an unassailable 25-point halftime deficit Saturday at Miami (Ohio). Stetson (1-3) picked itself up somewhat in the second half but still fell 77-60 to the host RedHawks (2-3).
Miami fired on all cylinders in the first 20 minutes, knocking down seven of 10 three-point attempts and shooting 50 percent from the field overall (16-32). The Hatters trailed 47-22 at halftime as they managed just six field goals on 23 tries including an 0 for 7 start from distance.
Stetson's shooting improved drastically in the second period as it hit five of nine from three-point land, three of them by McGowan. The Hatters shot 46.4 percent (13-28) in the second half, more than double their output at the start; they outscored Miami 38-30 in the final 20 minutes, cutting what was at one juncture a 29-point lead down to as few as 14.
McGowan added three steals to her game-high 19 points while senior forward Jessica Conner (Cocoa, Fla.) went five for six from the floor en route to 13 points and five rebounds. Sophomore forward Janelle Mills (Wesley Chapel, Fla.) grabbed a team-high six rebounds; sophomore guard/forward Simone Taylor (Delray Beach, Fla.) had three assists to go along with seven points and three rebounds.
Courtney Osborn led four RedHawks in double figures with 17 points and six steals, although she did not score in the second half. Rachael Henke (13 points), Maggie Boyer (12 points, five assists, four rebounds) and Hannah Robertson (11 points) joined her while Kirsten Olowinski hauled in 14 rebounds.
Stetson returns home to face Jacksonville State at 7 p.m. at the Edmunds Center. Bill Topping and Dee Romine call the game on Hatter Vision with Live Stats also available at GoHatters.com, the official online home of Stetson Athletics. For more 360 degree coverage of the Hatters, follow us on Twitter (@StetsonSID), Facebook (Stetson Athletics) and YouTube (StetsonHatters channel).
